by our College Data Analytics TeamWith all of the graduate school options in Arizona, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks 90 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated graduate schools across over 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
The best graduate school for you depends on what you want to study. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Looking to pit your favorite graduate schools against each other? Try our tool College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
No school ranked higher than Midwestern University Glendale this year in Arizona. Based in Glendale, AZ, Midwestern University Glendale is a private not-for-profit institution. Midwestern University Glendale graduates report median early-career earnings of $98,281.
A rank of #2 makes Arizona State University one of the top graduate schools in Arizona. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Arizona State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $55,876. Typical student debt is $21,842.
University Of Arizona came in at #3 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Arizona. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,834. University Of Arizona students take on a median of $21,861 in debt.
The strong outcomes at Northern Arizona University earned it the #4 place in Arizona. Northern Arizona University is a public school based in Flagstaff, AZ. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,056. Graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Phoenix, AZ, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Students from in state pay about $21,520 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $83,188. Graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans.
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Set in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Early-career graduates earn a median of $55,793. Typical student debt is $23,742.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Prescott, AZ, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a private not-for-profit institution. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,974. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $64,690. Students borrow a median of $24,707 to complete a degree here.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Chandler, AZ, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $46,943. The median student debt is $10,447.
Gateway Community College Central City did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Gateway Community College Central City is a public institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,781 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $15,037.
Gateway Community College Phoenix came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,350. Graduates carry a median of $15,736 in student loans.
Mesa Community College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Mesa Community College is a public school based in Mesa, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Early-career graduates earn a median of $54,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az placed #12 among the best graduate schools in Arizona. This public school is set in Glendale, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,483. Glendale Community College Glendale Az students take on a median of $15,996 in debt.
Grand Canyon University placed #13 among the best graduate schools in Arizona. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Grand Canyon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,508. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,285. The median student debt is $30,027.
Scottsdale Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This public school is set in Scottsdale, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Scottsdale Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,039. The median student debt is $13,084.
Rio Salado College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Based in Tempe, AZ, Rio Salado College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,564. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete a degree here.
Carrington College Mesa landed the #16 spot in Arizona this year. This private for-profit school is set in Mesa, AZ. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,210 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $16,025 in student loans.
Pima Community College landed the #17 spot in Arizona this year. Pima Community College is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Median early-career earnings reach $40,977. Typical student debt is $10,655.
Paradise Valley Community College placed #18 among the best graduate schools in Arizona. This public school is set in Phoenix, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Early-career graduates earn a median of $71,136. The median student debt is $14,204.
Carrington College Phoenix did well this year, earning the #19 position. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Carrington College Phoenix is a private for-profit institution. Carrington College Phoenix graduates report median early-career earnings of $37,814. Carrington College Phoenix students take on a median of $15,388 in debt.
Carrington College Tucson landed the #20 spot in Arizona this year. Set in Tucson, AZ, Carrington College Tucson is a private for-profit institution. Median early-career earnings reach $32,616. Students borrow a median of $11,658 to complete a degree here.
Arizona Christian University landed the #21 spot in Arizona this year. Located in Glendale, AZ, Arizona Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Arizona Christian University graduates 40% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $35,098 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,702 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete a degree here.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #22 among the best graduate schools in Arizona. Located in Avondale, AZ, Estrella Mountain Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $21,752.
Phoenix College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Phoenix College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,053. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete a degree here.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #24 among the best graduate schools in Arizona. Set in Phoenix, AZ, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. About 16% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Median early-career earnings reach $60,453. University Of Phoenix Arizona students take on a median of $35,323 in debt.
Cochise College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Set in Sierra Vista, AZ, Cochise College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Median early-career earnings reach $40,712. The median student debt is $12,013.
These graduate schools also placed among the very best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Graduate schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.